The Heroic Showdown Between an Arkansas Wildlife Officer and Two Cop Killers
After two West Memphis, Arkansas, police officers were brutally murdered during a traffic stop, Officer Michael Neal engaged the killers in a fierce gunfight that ended the deadly rampage.
McLean, VA (March 26, 2025) - When evil lurks, heroes respond. On May 20, 2010, Arkansas Fish and Wildlife Corporal Michael Neal heard the reports that two West Memphis (AR) police officers had been killed, and two other officers were critically wounded. He raced to the scene from miles away and heroically engaged the cop killers in a fierce gun battle that put an end to the deadly rampage.
In the latest “Heroes Behind the Badge” podcast, you will hear about the traffic stop that resulted in two police officers—Brandon Paudert and Bill Evans—being murdered by a father and his 16-year-old son; how Corporal Neal charged his truck at 55 mph into the cop killers’ van, with gunfire raining down on him, earning him the Congressional Medal of Valor; and why his police vehicle, riddled with bullet holes, is now on permanent display at the National Law Enforcement Museum.
You will also hear now-Sheriff Neal’s important message to all law enforcement officers: "It's not a matter of if it's going to happen to you, it's when it's going to happen to you. If you're not thinking that way, you might want to start."
You can view the video version of the podcast at:
An audio version of this podcast is available HERE or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms. Just search for the “Heroes Behind the Badge” podcast.
0:45 - How the deadly sovereign citizen encounter began
14:45 - The moment Neal rammed his truck into the killers' van
20:10 - Neal discusses the warrior mindset needed in law enforcement
35:30 - Receiving the Congressional Medal of Valor
42:15 - Neal's truck being displayed at the National Law Enforcement Museum
About Michael Neal
Michael Neal is currently the Sheriff of Monroe County, Arkansas, and a former Corporal for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission assigned to Lee County, Arkansas. On May 20, 2010, Corporal Neal was instrumental in ending a brutal gun battle in West Memphis, Arkansas, which resulted in the death of two West Memphis police officers and the wounding of the Crittenden County Sheriff and his chief deputy. In recognition for his extreme heroism, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Valor from the President of the United States, in addition to many other awards. Sheriff Neal’s truck and rifle that was used to end the 2010 gun battle is now on permanent display at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington DC.
About “Heroes Behind the Badge” Podcast
“Heroes Behind the Badge” is a podcast produced by Citizens Behind the Badge (BehindBadge.org), a national nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement. The podcast aims to bridge the gap between public perception and police reality, providing an up close and personal glimpse at the true heroes behind the badge. Video versions of the podcast can be found at: https://heroesbehindthebadgepodcast.org/. Audio versions are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.